Why We Need Differing Speeds

Differing Speeds

Why Do We Need Differing Speeds? 

In GW 1&2, each class had different walking speeds. This added another level of depth and balance to these games, adding to the enjoyment of those games. Although BFN is more balanced, adding differing speeds would further the complexity of the game while also balancing many characters in smaller ways. It most likely won’t fundamentally change characters, but it would definitely give some characters more tools to work in their favor. This would affect only sprinting speeds, I think the walking speeds are fine as they are.

I will say that these changes are very necessary but I do not want this to be prioritized over damage dropoff, new characters, new maps, and definitely bug fixes. This is for when the game has gotten control over most of these areas and is ready to make major meta shifts and decisions.

Who Would Slow Down, Speed Up, And Stay the Same?

Characters That Need To Be Slower (Group A): All-Star, Citron, Chomper, Super Brainz 

Characters That Need To Be A Little Slower (Group B): Engineer, Scientist, 80’s Action Hero

Characters That Should Stay At The Same Speed (Group C): Foot Soldier, Kernel Corn, Electric Slide, Space Cadet, Wizard, Peashooter, Snapdragon, Rose 

Characters That Need To Be A Little Faster (Group D): Imp, NightCap, Sunflower

Characters That Need To Be Faster (Group E): Cpt. Deadbeard, Cactus

How Would This Work?

Let Us Assume the Current Walking Speed is 5 mps.

Let Us Assume the Current Sprinting Speed is 15 mps.

Group A Would Sprint Around 10 mps (Can Range From 9 to 11 mps For Each Character)

Group B Would Sprint Around 13 mps (Can Range From 12 to 14 mps For Each Character)

Group C Would Sprint At 15 mps (Popcap Can Choose If These Characters Have Variation In The Group)

Group D Would Sprint Around 17 mps (Can Range From 16 to 18 mps For Each Character)

Group E Would Sprint Around 20 mps (Can Range From 19 to 21 mps For Each Character)

What Effect Would This Have On The Game?

This would force characters to re-think who they are engaging and how to deal with some characters. Some would benefit from being faster, and some will be at a disadvantage due to them being unable to keep up a chase, fight, or escape.

Characters That Would Benefit A Lot: Sunflower, NightCap, Imp, Cpt. Deadbeard, Cactus

These characters have struggles with speed, whether it is chasing an enemy or running away. It would give these characters a boost that they probably need. (Just To Be Clear) Sunflower has no mobility abilities so I think it would give her an advantage over Scientist having a consistently faster speed, while he has more burst speed in Warps.

Characters That Would Lose: Chomper and Super Brainz

    Although these characters have mobility abilities, they heavily depend on movement speed to chase enemies and confirm kills. This may force players to adapt and use the alternate ranged attacks more often and make them less oppressive, or complain a lot.

Characters To Watch Out For When Implemented and When Doing Future Balance Changes: Engineer, Scientist, Acorn, Rose, Wizard

When looking at Engineer and Scientist, they may need nerfs to their mobility abilities. In order to soften the blow, increasing their base speed slightly would help. If they are not buffed in base speed but have their mobility options/abilities nerfed then they could drastically fall. Acorn should be watched to make sure he does not entirely fill the role of chasing an enemy down and flanking too well. He already is fast with Acorn Dash, so changes should be done carefully. Rose and Wizard have mobility options and new data should be observed of their performance and community feedback to see if they are in need to be quickened, slowed down, or they are just fine.

Abilities And Perks To Watch Out For Or Nerf Alongside This Change: Oak, Space Station, Crater Maker & Gravity Smash Perks, Support Speed Perks

Oak And Space Station should be observed to see if they adjust well with these changes. These two could drop really fast if the meta shifts against them. Crater Maker and Gravity Smash speed buff perks most likely need to be nerfed alongside this change in order to not cause some characters to be completely devastated by these abilities. Support Speed Perks may need changes so Sunflower, Rose, and Wizard don’t go too fast. These nerfs may need to be done before the speed changes to restrict some characters from doing to good. 

That is all for Differing Speeds, I want to do more core gameplay suggestions and write-ups, but I don’t know what to do next. I am thinking of a Perk System Rework, Support Overhaul, Stamina Bar, or A Character Rework/Tweaks.  I am not planning on doing this every week, but I will try to get them out as soon as I can. Please share your thoughts and I will try to answer questions.